Random Shuffle Overview: T-ara – Sugar Free

With over 3,000 songs on my iPhone’s “Ok-Pop Singles” playlist, I believed it could be enjoyable so as to add a little bit of unpredictability to my track evaluate posts. So in consequence, we now have the “Random Shuffle Overview” characteristic.

The principles are easy. I fireplace up my playlist, press “shuffle,” and no matter track performs first will get the complete Bias Listing therapy!

Yr Launched: 2014

EDM – and all of its many subgenres – skilled its largest rush of mainstream recognition within the early 2010’s. And like every international development, Ok-pop was keen to leap on board. For me, the early-10’s EDM sound fused higher with Ok-pop ideas than nearly some other style. Idol teams discovered a method to twist these traits in ways in which felt novel and thrilling. The trade nonetheless drew upon present tropes, however composers and producers pushed them ahead quite than simply copying and pasting.

I’m undecided T-ara’s Sugar Free is an instance of ahead momentum, but it surely definitely exemplifies one of the best of the “massive room” home sub-genre. The track was launched on the tail finish of the EDM growth (Ok-pop tends to carry on to traits longer than many markets) and moved T-ara’s quirky pop sound into an excellent greater area. It arrived amongst continued controversy because the group’s 2012 bullying scandal nonetheless dogged them within the public eye.

Opening with almost a minute of instrumental fervor, Sugar Free presents an aggressive digital dance beat earlier than launching into rhythmic verses that match the cadence of that underlying manufacturing. That is what “lady crush” (if you wish to name it that) gave the impression of in 2014 and it nonetheless holds up at the moment. From right here, we launch into the track’s irresistible centerpiece. The melody fleshes out and the manufacturing turns into extra propulsive. I really like how this section surges. Although the track is named “Sugar Free,” this feels extra like a sugar rush. It’s the type of large climax most present Ok-pop songs are lacking, and the kind of hook that helps a monitor like this stand the take a look at of time. And at almost 4 minutes, Sugar Free is allowed to luxuriate in its momentum. You’re getting your cash’s value, right here!

Grade: A